Kitchen lightening:

The best advise I can give for kitchen lightings is make sure that you buy lights that can house the CLF bulbs of the wattage you choose.  I had to go with a lower wattage to fit the bulbs in a ceiling fan.  Thank goodness it was a bedroom.  Who needs to see in there any way LOL

For under counter lighting I will be going with the halogen lights (loving referred to hockey pucks).  They will give you the most light at a lower electrical cost.

Appliances:

Do I need to say anything else but Energy Star rated!  Don't be afraid to go to your local scratch and dent store.  I save about 1K on my new refridgeration at the cost of a 2 dollar can of appliance paint.